Coin feeding device for slot machines

Abstract

The device includes structure defining a first passageway dimensioned to pass coins one at a time in edge-on orientation and structure defining a second passageway dimensioned to pass coins one at a time in edge-on orientation communicating with one end of the first passageway and extending transversely thereto. The junction between the first and second passageways is dimensioned to allow the faces of the coins to pivot by about 90° within such junction. The device also includes structure defining a tubular reservoir mentioned to receive a supply of coins in face to face stacked relationship with the tubular axis of the reservoir extending normally to the first passageway and with one end of the tubular reservoir opening into the first passageway. A slide member is received in the other end of the first passageway for reciprocating motion therewithin. The slide member has sufficient length to move a coin received in the first passageway from the reservoir into the junction between the first and second passageways. The tubular reservoir may be removable from the structure defining the first passageway in which case structure is provided for retaining coins in the reservoir against accidental discharge therefrom. According to one embodiment of this invention, the device may be formed integrally with the coin inlet structure of the slot machine and according to another embodiment of this invention, the device is adapted to be removably mounted on the coin inlet structure of the slot machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for feeding coins one at a time from a supply of said coins into a slot machine having a coin inlet for receiving said coins one at a time in edge-on position for falling of said coins by gravity into said inlet, said device comprising: (a) means formed integrally with said coin inlet of said slot machine defining a first passageway of generally rectangular cross-section dimensioned to pass said coins one at a time in edge-on orientation;   (b) means defining a tubular reservoir dimensioned to receive said supply of said coins in face-to-face stacked relationship, the tubular axis of said reservoir extending normally to the major surfaces of said first passageway with one end of said tubular reservoir opening into said first passageway through one of said major surfaces thereof;   (c) means formed integrally with said coin inlet of said slot machine defining a second passageway of generally rectangular cross-section communicating with one end of said first passageway and dimensioned to pass said coins one at a time in edge-on orientation, said second passageway extending transversely of said major surfaces of said first passageway and the end of said second passageway remote from said first passageway communicating with said coin inlet of said slot machine; the junction between said first and second passageways being dimensioned to allow the faces of said coins to pivot by about 90° within said junction, said   (d) a slide member received in the other end of said first passageway for reciprocating motion therewithin, said slide member being of sufficient length to move a coin received in said first passageway from said reservoir into said junction between said first and second passageways.   
     
     
       2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reservoir is fixedly mounted on said means defining said first passageway. 
     
     
       3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reservoir is removably mounted on said means defining said first passageway. 
     
     
       4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means defining said second generally rectangular passageway is formed integrally with said means defining said first passageway. 
     
     
       5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wall of said second passageway on the side thereof adjacent said reservoir recedes from the other wall of said second passageway in a smooth planar fashion to a distance greater than the radius of said coins at the point of intersection thereof with the first wall of said first passageway and then abruptly to a distance greater than the diameter of said coins at the point of intersection thereof with the second wall of said first passageway. 
     
     
       6. A device for feeding coins one at a time from a supply of said coins into a slot machine having an upwardly projecting coin inlet structure with a slot for receiving upstanding ones of said coins and a generally planar coin guiding surface projecting upwardly along one side of said slot against which a face of upstanding ones of said coins may be positioned for falling of the coin by gravity into said slot, said device comprising: a. means defining a first passageway of generally rectangular cross-section dimensioned to pass coins from said supply one at a time in edge-on orientation;   b. means defining a tubular reservoir dimensioned to receive said supply of said coins in face-to-face stacked relationship, the tubular axis of said reservoir extending normally to said first passageway with one end of said tubular reservoir opening into said passageway through one side thereof;   c. means defining a second generally rectangular passageway having one end communicating with one end of said first passageway, said second passageway extending transversely of said first passageway and the other end thereof being dimensioned to receive said upwardly projecting coin inlet structure of said slot machine with a sliding fit, the wall of said second passageway on the side thereof adjacent said reservoir providing a stop means for abutment with said coin inlet structure and receding from the other wall of said second passageway from said stop means to a distance greater than the diameter of said coins at the junction between said first and second passageways; and   d. a slide member received in the other end of said first passageway for reciprocating motion therewithin and being of sufficient length to move a coin received in said first passageway from said reservoir out of said one end of said first passageway.   
     
     
       7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sliding fit between said second passageway and said coin inlet structure of said slot machine is adapted to removably mount said device on said slot machine. 
     
     
       8. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said reservoir is provided with an outwardly projecting flange structure at one end thereof and said means defining said first passageway is provided with means for receiving said flange structure to removably mount said reservoir on said body in communication with said first passageway. 
     
     
       9. A device as claimed in claim 8 including a mounting insert for engagement with said outwardly projecting flange structure of said reservoir, said mounting insert comprising a hollow structure dimensioned to receive said flange structure, said structure being open at one side and having a channel formed in an adjacent side communicating with said open side dimensioned to receive the cross-section of said reservoir, whereby said mounting insert closes the end of said reservoir when applied thereto. 
     
     
       10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for receiving said flange structure comprises a hollow rectangular box structure formed integrally with said body having one end dimensioned to receive said mounting insert, said one end having an open top for receiving said mounting insert, the other end of said hollow rectangular box structure having a channel dimensioned to receive the cross-section of said reservoir formed in the top thereof communicating with said open top of said one end of said box structure and means for retaining said mounting insert in said one end of said box structure, whereby said reservoir with said mounting insert applied thereto may be inserted in said one end of said box structure and then moved to the other end of said box structure leaving said mounting insert in place in said one end of said box structure. 
     
     
       11. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said tubular reservoir is provided with an integral solid plug member at one end thereof and said means defining said first passageway also defines a socket extending transversely of said first passageway, said socket being dimensioned to receive said solid plug member of said reservoir and said solid plug member of said reservoir defining a passageway dimensioned and oriented to provide a portion of said first passageway when said plug member is fully received and aligned within said socket. 
     
     
       12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said tubular reservoir is provided with a collar dimensioned to be received over said plug member thereby closing the open ends of said passageway defined by said plug member.